Faust: Witch's Kitchen

Summary

The Witch’s Kitchen is a pivotal point of the story because it is the first time that Faust chooses to sin, and therefore, does the Devil’s bidding. His intent is to find “some sort of balm, some potent elixer,” (2139) that will “cancel thirty years, unbow (his) back” (2135). However, he is revolted by “all this crazy witchery” (2130) especially when he realizes that the cure rests in the hands of an ancient hag and asks Mephistopheles if there is another way. Mephisto sarcastically replies that the alternative is to live a simple life and work the fields as God intended. Faust rejects that idea as narrow and opts for the potion.

While it is being prepared and Mephisto is conversing with the Apes, Faust comes upon a mirror. As he peers in, he sees a “vision of beauty” and desperately ask that “Love show (him) the way to the heaven she dwells in!”(2226). He is so spellbound by the beautiful creature and is desperate to see if “such a marvel (can) inhibit down here” (2234) that he doesn’t realize the Devil’s work. This is Mephisto’s first attempt to make Faust truly happy, and he works hard to make his wishes come true in the hopes that Faust will utter the words “Wait, you are so fair” (Montgomery 38). If Faust says the phrase to the moment, he will die and give over his soul to the Devil. The mirror reflects Faust’s dormant desire and consumes him to the point that he says, “I feel as if my insides are on fire! Come, we’ve got to get out of here” (2257-8).

At this outburst, Mephisto just blows him off and continues with his conversation until the Witch, Sibyl, comes riding down the flame. After a brief ruckus, Sibyl recognizes Mephisto and gleefully addresses him as Satan. Immediately Mephisto chastises her and explains that since Satan is connected to mythology and because that has not improved the temper of humanity, he prefers to be addressed as Baron. Once the pleasantries are out of the way, the witch goes through the crazy ritual of serving the potion. After Faust drinks the brew, he asks to be able to look in the mirror one last time. Mephisto says, “No, no, soon enough you’ll behold in the flesh the fairest women that ever drew breath” (2393-4). He then mutters to himself that “old Jack will soon see a Helen in every Jill” (2395-6); meaning that the potion will make any female appear beautiful to Faust.

Study Questions

1) Why does Mephisto bring Faust to this particular Witch's Kitchen?

2) Why didn't the witch recognize Mephisto?

3) What are the "pinions" that Faust refers to?

4) Why is it important that the pot is constantly stirred?

5) Are the apes and she-apes real or apparitions?

External Resources

Study Guide for Goethe's Faust

Works Cited

Fairley, Barker. GOETHE as Revealed in His Poetry. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., 1963